The phrase “dragging the whole family along” made the five charging individuals glare with hostility, especially the four young women, who looked as if they wanted nothing more than to duel Shi Hao to the death.
But even Mo Dao had been defeated—what chance did they have?
“You can’t let them pass!” shouted other creatures from the foreign realm. Losing one was bad enough; how could they allow others to follow and become captives as well? These were all elites, all prodigies.
Anyone capable of crossing realms was a champion, a representative of their world’s youth. Losing even one would be an immense blow.
Moreover, they couldn’t allow Mo Dao to accept defeat and submit. He was a genius of their world—how could he become another’s servant?
At the very least, they’d rather see him killed than let him follow that man. Otherwise, he might become an enemy in the future, shifting the balance of power.
“Come back! Mo Dao, you can’t agree to be his servant!” A woman who had cultivated three strands of immortal energy spoke up. Tall and athletic, with a wheat-colored complexion, she exuded a fierce aura rather than charm.
“I lost. I accept the outcome. But you don’t have to suffer with me—go back,” Mo Dao declared, urging the others to leave.
“No, we won’t go!” they protested, especially the young women, who were too emotional to abandon him.
Shi Hao clicked his tongue in envy. “When will I have a group like this around me? My standards aren’t high—just one or two strands of immortal energy would do. Three would be even better.”
Many wanted to punch him but held back, knowing his terrifying combat prowess. Only a few with three strands of immortal energy stood a chance.
With one hand on Mo Dao’s shoulder, Shi Hao calmly parted the crowd and returned to Wang Xi, Xuan Kun, and the others, bringing his captive with him.
No one dared intervene, knowing Shi Hao could obliterate the sealed Mo Dao in an instant if provoked.
The four young women followed, standing close by, seething with resentment.
“If you’re so strong, dare to fight Mo Shixiong again?”
“Yeah, this time, fight without restrictions! Whether you have three strands or two, let’s have a true battle. We’ll crush you!”
These words stirred mixed reactions.
The foreign creatures’ expressions eased slightly. Though Shi Hao was an anomaly, he only had two strands of immortal energy—hardly an insurmountable threat.
They all believed that if Mo Dao hadn’t restrained himself, this wouldn’t have happened.
With that thought, their mood improved. This wasn’t an unbeatable foe—he could be suppressed!
Shi Hao mused, “Hmm, you remind me. Having such a powerful follower isn’t safe. You have three strands; I only have two. Keeping you close gives you too many chances to kill me. I need a solution.”
Many exchanged glances. Was he seriously considering keeping such a servant?
In the distance, Cao Yusheng and the little rabbit grew suspicious. The more they observed Shi Hao’s mannerisms, the more familiar he seemed—his appearance might be different, but his aura was similar.
“Damn, could this really be him?” Cao Yusheng muttered.
“Wasn’t he thrown into the Primordial Ancient Mine? How could he still be alive?” The little rabbit was equally doubtful.
They knew Shi Hao too well, spotting traces of him in this person’s behavior.
“If it’s him, he’s really putting on an act. He has three strands himself—why fear one more?”
They inwardly cursed, convinced that if this was Shi Hao, he was shamelessly playing the fool to prey on the strong.
“This man can’t be left alive—kill him!” Lu Tuo declared coldly.
Others nodded in agreement. Keeping him would be raising a future threat. Who could control him? Even those with three strands might fail.
The four young women screamed, their faces pale.
“You can’t harm Mo Shixiong! He’s honest—he followed you willingly. How can you kill him without reason?”
“Don’t you dare!”
Shi Hao, however, was unshaken. With three strands himself, he had no fear of Mo Dao and saw no reason to kill him.
“Just kill him,” even Princess Yao Yue chimed in, deeming it necessary to eliminate the risk.
Shi Hao disagreed. “A three-strand genius as my follower—killing him would be a waste! Who’ll compensate me?”
The others were speechless. A two-strand cultivator, even a body-refiner, trying to control a young supreme? Overconfidence.
In their eyes, Mo Dao lost only because he held back. Unleashed, he’d be unbeatable.
“Kill him,” Yao Yue insisted.
“Fine, but you owe me a three-strand genius!” Shi Hao eyed her up and down like a merchant appraising goods.
Yao Yue frowned. This guy was too brazen, staring so boldly. “You… just wait for his betrayal!”
“For safety, kill him,” Xuan Kun agreed.
“Isn’t using him better than killing him?” Shi Hao remained firm. Then, turning to Wang Xi and Lu Tuo, he asked, “I’ve heard the Eternal Families have methods—blood oaths, dao vows—to bind servants and prevent betrayal. Do you have any?”
They shook their heads. Such methods were complex, sinister, and unreliable even if applied.
“No need. I keep my word. Here—take this Soul Nurturing Tower.” Mo Dao was decisive.
Blood seeped from his brow as a crack split open, releasing a small white jade tower into Shi Hao’s hand.
Shi Hao was stunned. Even sealed, Mo Dao could summon a treasure?
“I have no combat power now, but this tower is special—it follows my soul imprint,” Mo Dao explained flatly.
The four young women shrieked in protest.
On the opposing side, the foreign creatures gasped, some roaring in outrage.
“No! How can you give him part of your soul imprint? Are you truly becoming his servant?”
Now, even the students of Celestial Academy understood.
The Soul Nurturing Tower—a relic from the Immortal Ancient Era, a demonic artifact that could nurture souls, strengthen the spirit, and bind a person through their soul imprint.
Wang Xi, Lu Tuo, Yao Yue, and the others were stunned. Such a supreme talent, subdued by a mere two-strand cultivator?
“Attack!”
The foreign creatures surged forward, unwilling to let their genius become an enemy’s servant. If turned against them, the consequences would be dire.
After having Wang Xi verify the tower’s authenticity, Shi Hao unsealed Mo Dao. “Go, kill them for me.”
“I’ll protect you, but I won’t slay my own kin. I’ll only defend,” Mo Dao stated. He’d rather die than betray his people.
Hearing this, the attackers hesitated but pressed on under their leaders’ orders.
A brutal battle erupted!
The conflict between the two realms had already been fierce, but Mo Dao’s capture was the spark that ignited an inferno.
“Kill them all!” Lu Tuo roared.
The battlefield became chaos, with elites clashing against elites, three-strand cultivators locking in deadly combat.
Mo Dao’s absence weakened the enemy. Meanwhile, some three-strand experts targeted Shi Hao, easing the pressure on Lu Tuo and Yao Yue.
“Mo Dao, stop them!” Shi Hao commanded.
Treasure arts clashed, artifacts flew, and the land trembled under the onslaught. Mountains crumbled to dust in the distance.
This was a battle for the ages, one survivors would never forget.
“Die!” Enemies lunged at Shi Hao, seeking his life.
A three-strand powerhouse descended, terrifying in might, only to be intercepted by Mo Dao in a fierce duel.
“Boom!”
Space shattered as a bizarre creature emerged, its power surging like an ocean.
“Ah…” Shi Hao sighed. “Seems I’ll have to go all out. Time to reveal my true strength and slay a three-strand supreme here.”
He resolved to unleash carnage.
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